Graduate Certificate in Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling from Portland State University. Program course work includes:

Marriage and family counseling theory and models

Interpersonal neurobiology of conflict and hope

Child psychology and development

Family life cycle and transitions

Developing family treatment plans

Advanced treatment interventions

Sexuality and sexual dysfunctions

Training and experience with the use of the following treatment models:

Imago Therapy, which suggests that we unconsciously choose our "difficult" partners in order to heal childhood wounds. The counselor trains the couple in communication and empathy to provide that healing and growing for each other.

The Couple's Institute, using the Bader and Pearson model which views couples and having a developmental cycle similar to those between child and parent, and that couples need assistance to get unstuck and grow through their development phase.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events; Thus, we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy, which argues that people can attain their highest potential through emotionally nurturing relationships, so uses emotions and their mutual impacts to establish and re-create supportive bonds among individuals.

Schema Therapy, which tracks, categorizes and aims to change patterns of maladaptive beliefs that we develop in childhood and get played out in relationships, family and work. Common schemas include abandonment, defectiveness, mistrust, unrelenting standards, and more.

Extensive training in Compassionate Communication, which includes the ability to support people with mental/emotional processes for gaining clarity and empowerment for their own needs, understanding other's needs, negotiation, healing from past hurts, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Conflict Resolution and Communication Process developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. For more info, see Oregon Network for Compassionate Communication, and Center for Nonviolent Communication)

Coordinating NVC

Founded Portland Area Network for Compassionate Communication and 1st area Practice Group: July, 2001

Co-Founded Statewide organization: ORNCC, Septermber, 2002

Serving as State Director/Coordinator for ORNCC, 2003 - 2009

Training/Facilitating NVC

Practice Groups: Hosted and led four practice groups, each lasting several months.

Introductions: Provided approximately 15 introductions to general community, community organizations, groups, and workplaces. Developed and provided an "introduction to practice groups."

Trainings: Provided approximately 20 full day trainings to groups within own organization, and with other organizations in the community. Provided a ten-week basic skill training.

Articles on Compassionate Communication written by Stuart

Creating Peace Internally and Externally

The Spiritual Aspects of Nonviolent Communication

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Personal

I have been co-parenting since my daughter was nine months old; her mom and I have some distinctly different parenting and cultural values. I know what it takes to work effectively as a team for the best interest of our daughter, and I know how challenging this can be.

I have been a very active, involved single parent for several years, and understand how exhausting and rewarding this can be.

I have experience with the complexity and difficulty of forming a blended family, and understand the kind of strength, clarity and patience this requires and the hope and opportunity that is possible.

I know how grueling it is to try to make sound decisions about relationships and family when one is hurt, furious, depressed, confused and resigned, AND, I know how incredibly helpful an educated, compassionate and clear outside support person can be at these times.